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Another dry week in Wisconsin. Still hot, but a little more bearable than prior. But, the mosquitoes are back in fine form. I mowed the front 3 acres yesterday and checked on the garden. I had just told my DIL that I had NO tomatoes except cherry ones. Much to my surprise I found 6 huge, fat, ripe tomates on one of my bushes. They were so hidden that I almost missed them. I don’t have any idea which variety they are because the tomato bed is so thick I can’t get to the tags which are hidden. This is how I got bitten from head to toe. Those little devils hide in the foliage.

I brought in 1 small zucchini, but I left 3 huge ones on the vine because they were so buried by leaves that I couldn’t rerieve them beause of the mosquitoes. I’m going to have to have a stern talk to my barn swallows. They are not doing their jobs, although they were out there working while I was mowing yesterday. I imagine the fence around the garden keeps the swallows from swooping in and provides a protected place for those little devils. The swallows follow me on my tractor and gather up the bugs that are kicked up. They fly so fast and display a glint of camel colored feathers on their tummies as they swoop back and forth.

You have never seen such a pretty sight as barn swallows collecting their dinners. I am sorry for those of you who do not have that opportunity. You have missed one of the thrills of nature.

I’ve spotted more than a half dozen watermelons growing nicely, even on the volunteer watermelon vine that sprouted from last year’s planting. I’ve got to figure out a different watering plan.

All the flowers that I planted out there in the “empty” squares are lush and doing well. The herbs are leafy and full too.